Elisabeth Borne, August 17, 2020 in Paris. – Jacques Witt / SIPA
To avoid spreading the epidemic, the wearing of the mask will be “systematized” by the return to “all closed and shared spaces” of companies, said Tuesday the Minister of Labor Elisabeth Borne after a meeting with the social partners.
“It is necessary to systematize the wearing of masks in all work spaces which are closed and shared”, such as “meeting rooms, corridors, changing rooms, open space”, indicated the minister. This measure does not apply in individual offices. Bollard leans on the High Council for Public Health (HCSP), and thus takes into account the risk of the
Covid-19 by aerosols (fine droplets suspended in the air exhaled by patients).
Specific measures in certain sectors
Considered as “personal safety equipment”, the cost of the mask, surgical or fabric, is the responsibility of the employer. Previously, its wearing was recommended in business when the distance meter – a measure that remains – was not technically possible. In addition, specific measures, to be defined, will be applicable for accommodation seasonal workers and
slaughterhouses, which turned out to be sources of contamination this summer, said Yvan Ricordeau, of the CFDT, present at this meeting which took place by videoconference.
“Meetings will start next week,” he said, showing satisfaction with the widespread use of masks in business. “To support the activity, it is necessary to give security elements to the employees”, he assured.
Measure applicable from the start of the school year
This measure will be recorded “in the coming days” in a “national protocol to ensure the health and safety of workers in the period of Covid-19”, with a view to application for “the end of August”, further explained the minister. . Depending on health trends and the types of business premises, this measure may be subject to “exemptions” after consultation with the health authorities.
Regarding the telecommuting, “We will stay on the rules of today: telework recommended in areas where the virus is actively circulating,” said the Minister. She urged the partners to initiate and speed up negotiations on the subject.
“Masks are not everything, we must also work on the issues of work organization, teleworking and reduction of working time,” said Fabrice Angéi, who represented the CGT at the meeting.
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